Motegi MotoGP: Moriwaki unveil latest Moto2 contender

Japanese engineering specialists Moriwaki unveiled the third version of its MD600 bike today ahead of a proposed 2010 assault on the new Moto2 class.

The latest version of the bike, which has yet to be track tested, was shown off at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit today in front of a packed press conference.

The Moriwaki MD600 features an in-house designed and manufactured aluminium chassis.

At present, the bike is using a Honda CBR600RR motor, with the identity of the single engine supplier for the new Moto2 class not yet confirmed by MotoGP bosses Dorna.

MCN understands though that Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta spent two days in the build-up to this weekend’s Japanese MotoGP race speaking to senior management at Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki to gauge interest in the new class.

Details of the MD600 project were sketchy. President Mamoru Moriwaki confirmed the Japanese company would not be entering the 250cc two-stroke replacement class as a factory effort.

“Our involvement will be as a supplier to start with, but in the future we could move into the series, “said Moriwaki Moriwaki intends to sell complete kits with engine and chassis, and also a chassis kit.

There were no details of how many complete bike or chassis kits would be produced or what the costs would be to interested teams. Moriwaki did report some interest though from existing 125 and 250 teams looking to enter Moto2.

Today’s press conference was notable for the mass attendance of the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team, including manager Herve Poncharal.

The French-based outfit, which runs James Toseland and Colin Edwards in MotoGP, has already confirmed it will run a squad in Moto2, with crew chief Guy Coulon instrumental in the design of a new chassis.

Bradley Smith’s 125GP team boss Jorge Martinez was also in attendance, though he has yet to declare his intention for Moto2 in 2010.

Members of the Blusens Aprilia 250GP team were also present, with the Spanish squad already well advanced with its own Moto2 contender.

That too is presently Honda-powered, and Scott Redding’s squad is currently awaiting confirmation of the single engine supplier.